Journal of Chaohu University ›› 2021, Vol. 23 ›› Issue (1): 22-27.doi: 10.12152/j.issn.1672-2868.2021.01.004

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Interpretation of I Lose Myself: Taking Zhuangzi Inner Chapter for an Example

ZHAO Xue-min:College of Liberal Arts, Shanghai University   

  1. College of Liberal Arts, Shanghai University
  • Received:2020-09-08 Online:2021-01-25 Published:2021-04-02

Abstract:  "Myself" refers to me with worldly flavor, and "I" is my natural nature. The quality of "I" is differentiated into "self-centered" and "to be" "myself" by external and self-imposed factors. Chuang-Tzu made a response to reach the detachment of body from Tao, and advocated that "I" should "lose myself" by "fasting heart" and "sitting and forgetting". The realm of "fasting heart" is emptiness, which means waiting for things, emphasizing the inclusiveness of the soul, letting yourself get rid of distractions, being empty and pure, and returning to cleanliness in order to highlight the existence of "I"; "sitting and forgetting" requires to enter the realm of forgetting both things and me, losing both right and wrong, so as to "be completely clear" and achieve the "materialization" state of being condensed and explained, traveling between gods and things, and being in harmony with things. After "materialization", human's body and mind are detached from each other, thus realizing the ultimate goal of being free and unfettered.

Key words: I Lose Myself, quiet emptiness, harmony, completely clear

CLC Number: 

  • B223.5